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Steam Frame

store.steampowered.com

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Re: Steam Frame

#401

Post by tfyoung »

JeremyNT wrote: post #249
modeless wrote: post #60

Foveated streaming! That's a great idea. Foveated rendering is complicated to implement with current rendering APIs in a way that actually improves performance, but foveated streaming seems like a much easier win that applies to all content automatically. And the dedicated 6 GHz dongle should do a much better job at streaming than typical wifi routers. > Just like any SteamOS device, install your own apps, open a bro…

I guess there's a market for this but I'm personally disappointed that they've gone with the "cram a computer into the headset" route. I'd much rather have a simpler, more compact dumb device like the Bigscreen Beyond 2, which in exchange should prove much lighter and more comfortable to wear for long time periods. The bulk and added component cost of the "all in one" PC/headset models is just unnecessary if you alre…

There's always going to be a computer in it to drive it. It's just a matter of how generalised it is and how much weight/power consumption it's adding.

Re: Steam Frame

#402

Post by ehnto »

Razengan wrote: post #312
arnaudsm wrote: post #269

This is the first standalone headset with an open ecosystem. That's a big deal. Meta Quests & Apple Visions require developer verification to run your own software, and provide no root access, which slowed down innovation significantly.

I just want a "dumb" headset that I can use as a portable private display for my laptop. That's it. I don't need 3D, I don't need VR, I don't need weirdass controllers trying to be special. Just give me a damn simple monitor the size of my eyes. Fuck off with your XR OSes and "vision" for XR, not even Apple could get it fully right, the people in charge everywhere are too out of touch and have no clue where the fuck…

Then this is actually much closer than previous headsets?

There is a lot going on to render the desktop in a tracked 3D space, all that has to happen somewhere. If you're expecting to plug a HDMI cable into a headset and have a good time then I think you're underestimating how much work is being done.

OpenVR and OpenXR are really great software layers that help that all work out.

Re: Steam Frame

#403

Post by daemonologist »

StumpChunkman wrote: post #156

Anybody know the limiting factor to providing lower IPDs on VR headsets? My wife had always struggled with this with an IPD in the 50s when we were exploring early gen VR headsets. The Frame bottoms out at 60.

As you lower the IPD you're scrunching the displays and optics closer and closer together and at some point you mechanically run out of room. You'd need to reduce the FOV or add mirrors or something to get the lenses to fit.

There's probably also an element of it not being worth complicating the design to chase users in the long tail of IPDs. (My IPD is about 72, which is slightly outside the range on the other end for this and most other headsets, despite it being less of a mechanical challenge.)

Re: Steam Frame

#404

Post by thefunnyman »

I'm surprised no one is talking about the fact that the headset is ARM and that valve has been heavily contributing to the translation layer FEX.

I love my steam deck, but lately find myself reaching for emulation handhelds like the Retroid Pocket 5 more due to smaller size, especially when I'm leaving the house. There's already projects like GameNative that try to hack steam onto these devices, but if valve offers an official client on Android and other arm devices that would be incredible.

Edit: Some interesting insights in the FEX FAQ about why it's not a great fit for Android right now [0]. Interested to see if this ARM version of steamos is installable on other devices though. RP5 can already run alternatives like Rocknix

[0] https://wiki.fex-emu.com/index.php/FAQ

Re: Steam Frame

#405

Post by ehnto »

Insanity wrote: post #70

This is going to be an instant buy for me, and my first VR device ever. I've used the previous Steam VR headset over at a friends' place many times, but never bit the bullet to get one myself. The fact that this can run standalone, doesn't have a bunch of wires dangling from it, and is pretty much a fully working Linux box makes this am almost on-brainer for me. I do _hope_ the price is reasonable though, if it ends…

You're gonna love where VR is at right now. If you had been holding off until it's good enough, then I think you've timed it well. The Quest 3 from an experience point of view was the watershed headset for me, but the ecosystem being Meta makes it less good from a privacy and ownership point of view.

But this headset solves the ecosystem aspect and brings that visual experience with it.

Re: Steam Frame

#406

Post by wayeq »

IshKebab wrote: post #277
arnaudsm wrote: post #269

This is the first standalone headset with an open ecosystem. That's a big deal. Meta Quests & Apple Visions require developer verification to run your own software, and provide no root access, which slowed down innovation significantly.

Not to mention Meta abandoned the Quest 1 very quickly. I bought a game when it came out and never got around to playing it (had kids). I tried to play it recently and it no longer even works! £30 down the drain, thanks Zuck. I guess I can't complain too much given that I got it for free.

> £30 down the drain, thanks Zuck.

I'm sure he put it to good use. Like 500ms worth of upkeep for one of his yachts.

Re: Steam Frame

#408

Post by wayeq »

stetrain wrote: post #43
skeaker wrote: post #10

This being a whole system that will allow you to put whatever software you want onto it makes me think that it might actually succeed at being what the Vision Pro wanted to be.

This isn’t likely to be a compelling spatial computer. The pass-through video is monochrome and the screens have about 40% of the pixels compared to the Vision Pro. The Samsung Galaxy XR is much closer to being a Vision Pro competitor. The Steam Frame is very focused on playing games locally and streamed from a PC.

> This isn’t likely to be a compelling spatial computer.

neither is the Apple Vision Pro

Re: Steam Frame

#409

Post by [deleted] »

rbits wrote: post #314
JeremyNT wrote: post #249

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I guess there's a market for this but I'm personally disappointed that they've gone with the "cram a computer into the headset" route. I'd much rather have a simpler, more compact dumb device like the Bigscreen Beyond 2, which in exchange should prove much lighter and more comfortable to wear for long time periods. The bulk and added component cost of the "all in one" PC/headset models is just unnecessary if you alre…

I was worried about the built in computer as well, but then I found out it's only 185g. It is 78g more than the Bigscreen Beyond 2, but it's still pretty light.

[deleted]

Re: Steam Frame

#410

Post by ehnto »

piva00 wrote: post #374
lopis wrote: post #194

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Not to mention this comes from a company that I respect and that has a proven record of trying to respect its users, unlike literally every other company making VR headsets. The fact that they are trying to making this an open device, and that the controllers have user-replaceable batteries is almost unheard of in any consumer device these days.

Valve kinda shows how a well-managed private business ought to run: respect your customers, find a cash cow and use it for slowly expand into related markets to your niche, develop good products over a long period (SteamOS took many years to become something actually useful) without focusing on the mentality of hyper-growth, keep the stereotypical contemporary MBA thinking away, have a small but competent team. There…

> There are, of course, the issues with lootboxes but even there they've kept their hands much cleaner than any other game developer.

They do seem to get a pretty big pass on that. Wonder what it is about.

Almost every other aspect of the company I find great, and I do wish they would release more games. Maybe Alyx 2 will come out with the headset? Could be what HLX has been this whole time, where people think it is HL3.

On sim racing in VR, absolute game changer. I would never go back to screens, it's the perfect application for VR.

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